Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1 BARBAGALLO 02 (DX)
7 LO GIUDICE 94 (DX/AMBI)
9 LEONARDI 02 (DX 178)
11 CATANIA 02 (170 DX)
4 DIOUF 97 (192 DX)
8 KAMGA (DX 173)
10 D'AMICO 89 (180 DX/AMBI)
3 GOZZO 05 (SX 177)
5 ULMA 88 (181 SX)
6 LLAMA 97 (185 DX)
2 NICOLOSI 06 (182 DX)

A high pressing and vertical style of football defines this lineup, which utilizes a 2-5-3 formation. The team aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike quickly through the middle or the flanks. This formation is built to overwhelm the opposition in the attacking third, prioritizing numbers in central areas and immediate pressure once the ball is lost.

BARBAGALLO starts in goal to manage the space behind the high line. The defensive unit relies on a two man back line consisting of LLAMA and ULMA. These central defenders must stay compact and act as ball playing defenders to initiate play from the back. Because there are only two defenders, LLAMA and ULMA must be ready to step up to catch attackers offside or sweep behind the line if the press is bypassed. They need to be dominant in the air and capable of winning the second ball to prevent direct attacks from reaching the penalty area.

The midfield is a dense five man block designed to control the center of the pitch. D'AMICO sits as the central anchor to shield the defense and recycle possession. To his sides, GOZZO and NICOLOSI operate in the half spaces to connect the defensive and attacking lines. DIOUF and KAMGA act as attacking midfielders who push further forward to support the front three. GOZZO and NICOLOSI provide the engine, with one often driving forward with the ball while the other protects the central zone. This midfield group works to compress the space and deny the turn to opposition players.

The attacking front three works in close combinations to break the line. LEONARDI operates as a pressing centre forward to lead the hunt from the front. On the wings, LO GIUDICE and CATANIA act as wide wingers who can either hug the touchline to stretch the defense or cut inside to create overloads. This creates a heavy central presence when DIOUF and KAMGA join the movement. The team looks to find the feet of the striker or play through the lines to create runs in behind. When attacking, the combination of the five midfielders and three forwards makes it difficult for the opponent to track every runner.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, particularly through numerical superiority in the midfield. By having five players in the middle, the team can easily win the second ball and control the tempo. Another strength is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, with the front three and the attacking midfielders triggering a press that forces the opposition into mistakes. This high intensity makes the team very dangerous during transitions.

The 2-5-3 is a high risk, high reward system that relies on dominant central players. It is best suited for games where the team needs to dominate possession and pin the opponent into their own half.